Spring suspension for railroad cars



Oct. 16, 1945.

A. F. HICKMAN SPRING SUSPENSION FOR RAILROAD CARS 6 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Jan. l5, 1941 Oct. 16, 1945. A F. HlcKMAN SPRING' SUSPENSION FOR RAILROAD CARS Filed Jan. 15, 1941 e sheets-sheet 2 @et 169 1945. A. F. HICKMAN SPRING SUSPENSION FOR RAILROAD CARS Filed Jan. 15, 1941 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVNTO'R alifllllll Il .ntllllllll Wm. Nm. Qm. Wm.

.Q s k mmgw @et i6, 1945. A, F, HlcKMAN 2,386,795

SPRING SUSPENSION FOR RAILROAD CARS Filed Jan. l5, 1941 l 6 Sheets-SlxeefrI L1A .l lNYEN'rQRd/'vv- @wa I ATTORNEYS Oct. 16, 1945. A. F. HICKMAN- SPRING SUSPENSION FOR RAILROAD CARS lFiled Jan; i5, 1941 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 www , hn .www QQ @um m fw ANN Oct, 16,1945.

A. F. :inslaan/lue` SPRING SUSPENSION FDR RILROAD CARS Filed Jan. 15r 1941 6 sheets-sheet 6 www mwN

mv'ENToR ATTQRNEYS Patented Oct. 16, 1945l 2,386,195 SPRING sUsPENsroN ron RAILROAD cans Albert F. Hickman, Eden, N. Y., assigner to Hickman Pneumatic Seat Co. Inc., Eden, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application January 15, 1941, Serial No. 374,515

' (ci. 10e-182i l1 Claims.

This invention relates to a spring suspension for railroad cars and more particularly to such a spring suspension particularly adapted for supporting the car of a passenger train where speed of'travel, safety, comfort and stability are of prime importance. rlhis application is a companion to my copending application for Spring suspension for railroad car bodies, Serial No. 374,516, filed of even date herewith, and is a continuation in part of my copending application for Vehicle spring suspension, Serial No. 713,161, filed February 27, 1934, now Patent No. 2,245,585, dated June 17, 1941.

One of the principal objects of this invention therefore is to provide a spring suspension for railroad cars which will function to safely support the car body' at the high speeds required m passenger train service. the spring suspension forming the subject of this invention being designed for speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a spring suspension for the cars of passenger trains which has the necessary -features 0f safety both Aagainst breakage and also to insure the car being solidly supported on the tracks at all rail speeds.

Another object is to provide such a suspenson which has an additional feature of safety in the provision of means for preventing derailment even if a spring should break.

Another object is to provide such a spring suspension for the cars of passenger trains which provides the necessary stability for passenger car service and also provides the desirable comfortable riding qualities.

Another object of the invention is to provide a spring suspension in which both up and down wheel movement is resiliently opposed by a purely geometric resilient resistance instead of an arithmetic or a partially arithmetic and partially geometric resilient resistance.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a spring suspension which provides for the lateral cushioningof the car body as well as its `vertical cushioning thereby to absorb lateral im` pacts imposed upon the car body as well as vertical impacts. v

Another object of the invention is to provide such a spring suspension having high and wide spring suspension pivot positions. By the high and wide suspension pivot positions of the present invention stability is increased and the need for anti-body roll devices, such as torsion bar stabilizers, is eliminated.' By eliminating these anti-roll devices the same frequencies can be acteristics;

particularly at high speed, is

maintained regarding body roll as are developed for vertical movements. l

Another object of the. invention is to provide suchy a suspension in which the friction in the spring suspension can be reduced to any desired degree, this object being attained by the use of torsion rods as the resilient means with provision for holding the stress upon these torsion rods low enough to develop extremely long life with very light rods.

Another obiectof the invention is to provide such a spring suspension which can incorporate large oversized bearings and large grease reservoirs and grease retainers.

Another object is to provide such a spring suspension which does not incorporate axle compensation, axle compensation involving the use of devices to distribute the load t0` the two or' more axles supporting each end of the car. By eliminating axle compensation the weight of the suspension is materially reduced; parts are elimihated; effective spring centers wider than the track can be developed to permit the use of softer springs and thereby obtain improved ride charand high and wide suspension pivot positions can be employed thereby to obtain increased stability.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a. suspension which can be provided with re. silient means whereby each axle is permitted t0 move a slight distance longitudinally of thecar body thereby to resillently resist longitudinal impacts such as occur in applying the brakes or in coupling cars, and in some instances to increase stability by eliminating or preventing wheel tramp or wheel hop. Y l

Another object of the invention is to provide such a spring suspension tion with llght-'weightbodies and equipment, such light-weight bodies and equipment .being desirable with the use of increased rail speeds.

conjunction with swivel trucks such as are now generally employed to support the bodies of passenger cars. A

Another object of the invention is to provide such a spring suspension in which the violentV side'to vside of the track,

eliminated. l Another object of the invention is to provide such a suspension for the swivel truck of a passenger car which permits of the truck being held in fixed relation to the passenger car body except diving rof the truck from which is itself light in weight and also is adapted to be used in conjuncfor its swiveling movementl around the axis of the king pin, it being unnecessary to permit tilting movements of the truck to take care of conditions, such as the tendency of one wheel to rise off the track, caused by spring breakage. With conventional trucks, which are free to tilt or move up and down independently of the car body, truck diving, wheel tramp, wheel hop and vertical truck frame frequencies are encouraged, especially at high speed.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a swivel truck in which either a center bearing of sufficiently large diameter can be employed to overcome any vertical truck frame frequencies independent of the car body or in which side bearings can be placed both fore and aft of the center bearing as well as at the sides thereof to overcome such vertical truck frame frequencies.

Another object of the invention is to so mount the side bearings as to provide long life for these bearings, a resilient support being provided which retards Brinelling of the bearings and the wearing of flat spots thereon and also providing a desired resilience between these bearings and the truck frame.

Anothen object of the invention is to provide such a suspension which will support the car b'ody in such manner that zero side sway and even a slight negative sway control can be` provided even with the high centers of gravities of conventional passenger car bodies.

Another object of the, invention is to provide such a suspension which is adapted for use in conjunction with railroad equipment now in use, thereby permitting of equipping cars now in use with a spring suspension forming the subject of the present invention.

Another object of the invention is to provide a suspension having the foregoing advantages and` which can be arranged entirely below the floor of a conventional passenger car.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a spring suspension having many operating economies, such as the saving of fuel; the saving in wear of the tracks and wheels; and the saving in the cost of maintenance of the car bodies.

Another object is to provide such a suspension having roller bearings for the wheels, each of these roller bearings having associated therelwith annular emergency bearing surfaces which are normally inoperative but which become operative with any break-down of the roller b'earings thereby to avoid any danger of aA wreck in the event of a failure of the roller bearings.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a suspension which eliminates wheel hop and wheel tramp.

Another object is to provide a modified form of the invention in which the axles are not connected to the car body through a swivel truck but the axles are so connected to the' passenger car body as to have the same tracking characteristics as if a swivel truck were employed.

Another object of the invention is to provide such ,a modified form of suspension which has increased resilience and riding characteristics as compared with a suspension including a conventional swivel truck.

Another 'object of the invention is to provide such a modified form of the invention in which the companion axles are directly and positively connected to each other and to the body of the passenger car by straight thrust members to resist impacts longitudinally of the body.

Other advantages and objects of the invention will be readily apparent from the foregoing description and the accompanying drawings, where- In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary top plan view of a swivel truck having a spring suspension embodying one form of my invention and adapted to support one end of a passenger car body.

Fig. 2 -is.'a side elevation of the swivel truck shown in Fig. 1 and showing apart of the passenger car body supported thereby.

Fign3 'is a fragmentary vertical section taken generally on lined-3, Fig. 2 and showing one of the lilanged railroad wheels and its' bearing in section.

Fig. 42 is -an enlarged, fragmentary, vertical, transverse section taken on line 4-4, Fig, 2.

l Fig. 5 is a fragmentary section taken on line 5 5, Fig. 4. l Fig. 6 is a vertical transverse section through the frame of a passenger car and showing the manner in which the dead or anchored ends of a pair of torsion rods supporting the opposite ends of a particular axle can be anchored so that the 45 breakage of one torsion rod will automatically render the companion torsion rod inoperative.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sec-` tion taken on line l- 1, Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged vertical section taken on such a suspension in which the wheels are mounted for independent rotation on the axles thereby to avoid -wheel and track wear and secondary flanges which result, to a large extent, through the wheel slippage caused by the wheels being flxedto the axles. Another advantage possible with independent AWheel rotation is the reduction of truck diving from sideto side at high speeds.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a suspension in which the wheels are of a simple demountable type, easy to change and economical tobuild. A

Another object of the invention is toprovide such a spring suspension in which each entire axle assembly can be readily removed as a unit.

Another object of the invention is toreduce to a minimum the unsprung weight of the suspension.

dicated generally at 2l, by means of a center bearing 22, this truck being shown as supported on four flanged railroad wheels, indicated generally at 23, by a spring suspension embodying one form of my invention. These four flanged railroad wheels of each truck ride upon the rails 24 of the railroad track and the passenger car body 20 is supported at each end on one swivel truck in the usual and well known manner so that each truck 'supports half the weight of the car body. It will also be understood that while a four wheel truck is shown, the invention can be embodied in a six wheel truck.

The frame of the swivel truck l2| is shown as vAnother object of the invention is to provide 'N5I made of structural steel, although any suitable ployed. The truck is shown as having two longitudinal sidebeams 30 which are channel shaped in cross section with their flanges extending inwardly, and each of these side beams being relatively deep at its center. .These side beams 30 are rigidly connected by transverse end beams 3E, 32, three center cross beams 33, 34. 35 and a pair of intermediate cross beams 36 and 31.

The three center cross beams 33, 34, 35 are shown as supporting the lower or truck center bearing plate 43 of the center bearing 22, this truck center bearing plate 43 cooperating with an upper or body center bearing plate 4l to permit the truck'to swivel about the axis of the king pin (not shown) which extends through the two center bearing plates. An important feature of the invention is that the center bearing plate can be of unusually large eiective diameter, it being feasible to employ center bearing plates having an effective diameter of as much as 24 inches. This is possible because with the spring suspension embodying my invention the truck can be held in fixed relation to the passenger car body except for swiveling about the axis of the center bearing 22 and it is unnecessary to permit tilting movements of the truck to take care of the tendency of one wheel to rise off the track, caused by spring breakage and to take care of truck diving, wheel tramp and wheel hop. To this end, and as optional equipment, three side bearings 63 are shown as mounted on each side of the truck. Each of these side bearings 43 comprises the usual housing containing a single solid roller. Each group of three of these side bearings 43 is shown as mounted on a plate 44 which is carried spots on the rollers. Withthis resilient form of mounting and with ample size and 'number of 'A rollers, long life against Brinelling in these side bearings is possible.

The wheels 23 are shown as being mounted for independent rotation at the opposite ends of the these taper roller bearings is held against a spact ing sleeve 56 on the axle 50 by an emergency bearing sleeve 51. These auxiliary sleeves are secured to the axle on opposite sides of the wheel assembly and are normally held in spaced relaby the three center cross beams 33, 34, 35 and is secured at its opposite ends to the undersides of reenforcing plates l5 for the ends of the intermediate cross beams 36, 31. t

Similar side bearings 46 are also shown as provided as optional equipment in front and in rear of the center bearing 22. As best shown in Fig. l, these side bearings 46 are shown as mounted at the center of the intermediate cross beams 36 and 31. The rollers of the side bearings d3 and 46 engage metal bearing plates 41 and 38, respectively. These metal bearing plates are secured in any suitable manner to the underside of the body 20 of the passenger car and to provide a limited degree of resilience in these Aside bearings, each of the metal bearing plates 41, 48

resilient material, as indicated at 49. The provision of the side bearings 46 fore and aft of the center bearing 22, as well as the side bearings 43 on vopposite sides of this center bearing, eliminats axle compensation eects and truck frame rock frequencies and at the same time obtains the desired ride characteristics and stability. By the provision of the rubber sheets 49 for these side bearings, a good portion of the vertical load' can be taken off the center bearing and distribannularange 65 of the tubular hub 5I. is preferably backed by a sheet of rubber or other uted to the several side bearings both fore. and

aft and laterally of the center bearing. These rubber backing sheets 49 also eliminate noise and permit freedom for slight vertical movements of the truck frame independently of the car body. The provision of such a rubber mounting for the side bearings also allowsfor slight looseness in f straightaways.

tion to corresponding bronze emergency bushings l58 secured in removable vtubular hub caps 59 secured to the opposite ends of the tubular hub 5i of each wheel by screws 60 or in any other .suitable rnanner. These hub caps are also preferably formed at their outer ends to provide a seal around the axle 56 which protects the roller bearings against-the entrance of dust and dirt. For this purpose, the outer end of each of these hub caps 53 is formed to provide a reduced bore 6i which ts the corresponding part of the axle and this reduced bore 6I of each hub cap is formed to provide oil grooves 62 of any suitable form to maintain an oil seal around the axle 50 at opposite sides of each wheel.

With the emergency bearing sleeves or bush- 'ings 51 and 58, it will be seen that in the event of the failure of any of the roller bearings 54, as through a. breakdown of one ofthe rollers, the corresponding pair of emergency bearing sleeves or bushings will come int'o engagement and form an emergency bearingl for that side of the Wheel. At the same time, during normal service, these corresponding emergency bearing sleeves or bushings do not engage with each other, as shown in Fig. 3. 4

The hub 5| is also shown as provided with an integral, annular, radially extending, central flange 66, this flange being provided with an annular series of holes near its rim in which bolts 66 are arranged. The iianged rim 61 of the wheel is formed to provide an inwardly extending annular web 68 which is recessed, as indicated at 69 at one side to receive the peripheral part of the The bolts 66 extend through holes provided in the web 68 so that the rim 61 of each wheel is rmly secured to its tubular hub 5 I.

An important feature of the suspension is the independent rotation of the individual wheels'on theiaxles 60, although the invention is not limited to such independent wheel rotation and is capable of being used with wheels fixed to the axles, as is now standard practice with bearings for the axles. The. purpose of the independent wheel rotation is to avoid wheel and track wear, such as causes the development of secondary .-ilanges, caused by wheel slippage on curves and even on Wheel slippage also encourages wheel tramp, wheel hop and truck diving,'besides consuming additional power' directly in proportion to the amount of slippage. It is apparent that such slippage is inherent to wheels which are fixed to a common axle, as on curves especially where one wheel must traverse a greater length of rail than the other. Also, with fixed wheels, athigh speeds, the inertia oi the axle and wheel assemblies causes ange wear andv encourages recurring wheel slippage.

truck diving because the inertia of .these assemblies tends to carry the truck past the correct rolling position of the car wheels. This side to side action of the truck in endeavoring to nd the correct rolling position of the wheels results in This condition is avoided in the employment of wheels having independent rotation around the common axle and in a rigidly constructed truck frame which allows for correct and constant axle alignment.

Each axle 50 is extended at its opposite ends beyond the hubs of its wheels, as indicated at 10. To each of these end extensions of the axles is secured an axle bracket indicated generally at 1|. As the axle does not rotate, each axle bracket 1| is provided at its lower end with a socket which receives the upper half of the corresponding end of the axle and this end of the axle is clamped in this socket by a clamping plate 12 having a socket to receive the lower half of the axle and secured to the underside of the bracket 1| by screws 13 or in any other suitable manner. 'Ihe axle can be prevented from turning in the socket of its axle brackets 1| in any suitable manner as by the pin 18 illustrated in Fig. 3. Each axle bracket 1| flares outwardly from its lower end toward its upper end fore and ait of its lower central point of attachment to the axle, as best illustrated in Fig. 2, and the upper end of this bracket is of goose-neck form; its extreme upper end 15 curving inwardly and then downwardly, and supporting an axle pivot pin 18 which is journaled at its extreme depressed end. This axle pivot pin is shown as being disposed at a slight angle to the horizontal, for a purpose hereinafter set forth, and as extending fore and aft of 'the truck. As best shown in Fig. 5, the opposite ends of this axle pivot pin 18 are shown as iournaled in bronze bushings 11 provided in the ends of the bore which houses the axle pivot pin 16 and the outer end of each of these bushings 11 is shown as provided with an annular end flange 10 which provides an end thrust bearing surface at the front. and-rear ends of the axle bracket 1|. The axle bracket 1| can be suitably strengthened by integral ribs 19 indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 3.

A frame bracket 80 is suitably secured to the side face of each of the longitudinal side beams 38 of the truck frame at each of its ends. These frame brackets 80 serve as the anchorage for the dead ends of the torsion rods which resiliently support the frame of the truck and also serve as means for journaling the live ends of these torsion rods and as a part of the means for pivotally connecting each axle bracket 1| to the truck frame. 1

, For the latter purpose each frame bracket 88 is formed at its front and rear ends to provide a pair of horizontally spaced bearing heads- 8|, 8|a in which a tube 82 is journaled. These bearing heads 8|, 8| a are arranged so that the tube 82 is arranged at a slight angle to the horizontal and parallel vwith the correspondingaxle pivot pin 18. Each o! these bearings heads 8|, 81 a as best shown in Fig. 5, is shown as carrying a pair of rollerbearings 88 which are spaced from each other, and each bearing head is formed to provide an annular lubricant reservoir or chamber 88 rbetween these roller bearings; 'I'he bearing head 8| a is also shown as provided with a pair of roller thrust bearings 88 at its opposite ends, these roller thrust bearings being interposed between each end of the bearing head 8|a and thrust collars 88 and 81, one of which is screwed onto the end of the tube 82 andthe other of which is welded to the tube 82. To prevent the escape of lubricant from these bearings, annular lubricant seals 88 of any suitable form are shown as provided in the opposite ends of the bearing head 8| around the tube 82 and similarly annular lubricant seals 88 are shown as provided between each bearing head 8|a and each of the thrust collars 88 and 81.

To the tube 82 is clamped a lever or arm 80 which projects horizontally outward from the tube 82 and carries a pin 9| at its outer end, this lever arm pin 8| being arranged parallel with the corresponding axle pivot pin 1B and tube 82 and hence being disposed at a slight angle to the horizontal. This arm is of substantial length lengthwise of the tube 82 and its pin 9|, and is shown as being split or bifur'cated, as indicated at 82, to embrace and clamp around the tube 82. The free ends of the split or bifurcated portions of each lever are shown as drawn together into firm clamping engagement with the tube 82 by a series of bolts 88, as best shown in Figs. 4 and 5. The opposite ends of the lever arm pivot pin 8| are shown as journaled in bronze bushings 8l provided in the ends of the bore 80 which houses the lever arm pivot lpin 8| and the outer end of each of these' bushings 88 is shown as provided with an annular end flange 81 which provides an end thrust bearing surface at the front and rear ends of the lever 80. Y

The opposite ends of the axle pivot pin 18 'and the lever arm pivot pin 8| are connected by a pair of shackles |00. For this purpose these opposite ends of these pivot pins are shown as being threaded and a collar |0|, having an inner thrust annular flange |02, is screwed 'onto each end of the axle pivot pin 18, and a similar collar |88, having an inner annular thrust flange |88, is shown as screwed onto each end of the lever arm pivot pin-8|, The flanges ofthese collars are adapted to engage the corresponding end thrust bearing ilanges 18, 81 of the bronze bushings 11 and 85 to prevent displacement of the shackles |00 lengthwise of the truck frame. Theseshackles |00 are shown as being of the rigid or nonflexible type and each is provided with opposite end bores which ilt over the corresponding co1- lars |0| and |02. These shackles are held against the end nanges oi these collars by nuts |88 and |08 applied, respectively, to the ends oi' the axle pivot pin 18 and the lever arm pivot pin 8|.

The resilient connection between each end of each axle and the frame of the truck is shown as comprising a torsion rod H0 both the live end and the dead end 2 of which is shown as being deformed or upset, as set forth in my Patent No. 2,213,004, dated August 27, 1940, into ovalled i'orm in cross section. The live end of each torsion rod extends through the corresponding tube 82, as best shown in FlgsA and 5 and its ovalled extremity at this live end fits into a similarly shaped ,bore Ill of a cylindrical head |I8 which is iitted around, and can be welded nasindicated at ||1, to the corresponding end of the tube 82 through which the torsion rod extends. To permit oi' ready removal of each tor- -sion rod, the end of each cylindrical head ||8 is said axle downwardly increases.

arm 90 is able to pass through the axis of the ments in axial parallelism with one another and at the same time to avoid interference between the torsion rods in anchoring their dead ends. The dead end H2 of each torsion rod is anchored in a boss l2@ cast in the frame plate et which is on the same side of the truck as that frame plate B9 lwhich carries the live end oi the torsion rod. Each of these bosses B2B is provided with an ovalled bore which receives the ovalled dead end of the torsion rod to anchor the dead end against twisting.

In the operation of the form of' the invention shown in Figs. 1-5, upward movement of the end of any axle edects, .through the corresponding axle pivot pin lt, shackles it@ and lever arm pivot pin el, an upward-movement of the corresponding lever arm ed, this lever arm swinging about the axis oi the tube @t to which it is clamped.` This tube 82 is journaled in the pair of spaced bearing heads el, tia secured to the truck frame and its swinging movement is transmitted to the cylindrical end head or sleeve llt which is welded to the tube t2. Since the ovalled live end lll of the corresponding torsion rod lit is anchored in the ovalled bore lib in this end head or sleeve, the torsion rod is twisted, its ovalled dead end H2 being anchored in the corresponding boss l2@ of the adjacent frame plate tid. This twisting of the torsion rod il@ thereby yleldingly resists upward movementof the end or the axle and restores the axle toits original position.

It will be seen that when the end of the axle is so forced upwardly relative to the truck frame (or vice versa, when the truck frame is forced downwardly relative to the axle under the inlinence of momentum) the' effective resilient opposing force of the torsion rod il@ increases at a geometric and notan arithmetic rate. This geometric rate is of the accelerated increase type in. which increments of vertical movements of the axle are opposed by an accelerated rate of resilient resistance. This .is primarily due to the progressive decrease inthe eiective length o the lever arm tu as these lever arms swingupwardly and inwardly about the live end iii of the torsion rod llt and the tube e2 as an axis of rotation. This action is also iniuenced by the varying singularity of the shackles it@ and the tact that' increments of vertical displacement of the lever arm pivot pins @l at the outer ends of the lever arms @t cause accelerated rates oi increase in the angular displacement of the torsion rod lid. This latter is due to the fact that increments of vertical movement or the lever arm.

This geometric action also occurs when the endof the axle moves downwardly relative to the truck frame from the normal position shown in Fig. 3. Throughout this particular movement, the geometric action is of the accelerated decrease type, that is, as the axle passes through increments of downward movement, the rate of decrease of the resilient force tending to push Thus, as the end of the axle moves downwardly from the position shown in Fig. 3, the resilient force tending topush it downwardly decreases at an acceler- -It will also be observed `that thesuspension is non-bottoming in that the line of pressure derived from the axle and directed against'either pin 9i at the outer end of the corresponding leverI lever arm 9D. In other words, in the suspension shown each lever arm 90 and its shackles Hill are capable yof straightening out so that the 'pivots 16- and -SI come into line with the axis of the lever arm 9u. However, thisstraightening out of each lever arm and its shackles is resisted by thecorresponding torsion rod and since it would take an infinite force to actually straighten the lever arm and shackles out, when so resisted, the suspension vis inherently non-bottoming. It will also be seen that while the eiective resistance of the torsion rods 100 can build up to iniinity, they can never be stressed beyond the lim` ited degree of angular-movement permitted by the lever arms 99 in approaching a straightened out relation with the shackles itt. v

It is to be noted that the shackles Hill of the axle spring suspensions incline upwardly and inwardly from the lever arm pivot '9i tothe axle pivot 15. This arrangement has two distinct advantages. One eiect of this upward and inward angular shackle arrangement is that it causes the truck at each end of the car body, on which trucks the cer body is mounted, to always tend to centralize itself. This centralizing tendency is caused by the eiect of gravity which may be considered as a resilient, downwardly acting force acting between the truck and the track bed and operating in a manner identical in its elects to a metal spring connecting the truck and the track bed. It is to be distinctly understood that this force tending to centralize each truck is of a resilient nature. Because of this fact the car body 2li is not subjected to directly-connected lateral forces as a consequence of a lateral axle movement. Such a lateral axle movement occurs, for instance, in traversing curves in the track and also when the truck moves horizontally from side to side in centering itself with reference to the track.

In conventional spring suspensions all movements of each axle which are lateral with respect to the truck and car body are transmitted directly to the truck and through links to the car body'. Because of the relatively large inertia or the car body and this linkage, such a lateral movement of the axle causes delayed lateral movement of the car body which moves rapidly to one side until it encounters a stop provided `on the swivel truck. Because of this delayed lateral movement of the car body, the truck is often starting -to move in the opposite lateral direction at' the time the body contacts the stop, this resulting in a severe sidewlse lurch of the car body. In some'conventional railroadcar suspensions shock absorbers are incorporated in the suspension to dampen this lurching of the car body but do not, of course, eliminate the cause of this lurchng.v

'of the axle, wheels and small axle brackets. In

other words, when a train hits a curve at high speed, the weight of the truck will not producea hammer-like blow against the wheels when the wheels are suddenly caused to move laterally.

The wheels will start to move laterally and when the resiliently `applied lateral pressure builds up high enough to turn the truck and move the car laterally, the truck and car'are moved as a result of a resilient lforce and not that of a hammer blow.

Another important advantage obtained by the angular arrangement of the shackles is that it reduces the 'possibility of wheel tramp. IThis latter may be broadly defined as a periodic vibration of the axleln a vertical transverse plane, the definition being usually limited to a rotary movement about an axis of rotation located at some point in the axle. In general it may be said that if one wheel is lifted, and if this movement causes a downward thrust onthe opposite wheel, then wheel tramp results. Such wheel tramp is prevented in the present invention by insuring that the downward thrust of the axle pivot 18 lies ator outside of the vertical plane intersecting the contact of the wheel with the track. It will be noted that by arranging the linkage of the present spring suspension outside of the wheels, the downward thrust of each axle pivot 18'is well outside of the track. Therefore the vertical upward thrust against one wheel is opposed by a directly opposite forceI passing through the corresponding axle pivot 16 and hence no downward thrust is imposed upon the opposite wheel.

It will also be seen that by an'anging the linkage outsidey of the wheels of the truck, as shown,

the effective spring centers'or suspension pivot points are at least 25% of the track width outside of the wheels at each side of the truck. This is also true of the other forms of the invention shown as hereinafter described. With such wide effective spring centers, the result obtained when one wheel rises one inch is that there is a spring deflection of one `and one-quarter inches. With a conventional truck suspension, with the eflective spring centers well within the wheels, when one wheel rises one inch there is a spring defiection of substantialy less than one inch. The suspension of the present invention, by virtue of' the wide effective spring centers, which permit of the use of softer springs, Aprovides a marked increase in stability and a marked improvement in ride as compared with conventional trucks.

The high and wide suspension pivot positions of the diderent forms of the spring suspension `forming the subject of the present invention also eliminate the need for anti-body roll devices. such as torsion bar stabilizers and the like. By eliminating these anti-roll controlling means, substantially the same frequencies can be maintained regarding body roll as are developed for vertical movements, thereby to greatly improve the ride, characteristics of the suspension. A roll frequency and vertical frequency of around '10 cycles is desirable for optimum ride conditions. Such a frequency of 70 can safely be incorporated in the suspensions forming the subject of the present invention by virtue of thel high and wide suspension pivot ints which permit of the use of softer springs andthrough which the body is more nearly suspended than mounted. Anti-roll stabilizers build up `spring rates against body roll and are not a cure, but a crutch, for improperly designedsuspensions. `It will also be notedI that thespring suspension forming the subject of the present invention does not involve axle compensation, that is, the distribution of the load equally to all of the wheelsv assenso under all conditions of operation. Axle compensation, while a most valuable vfeature for heavy highway vehicles. is very undesirable in rail equipment, and does not lend for the optimum instability and ride. While practically all present rail equipment suspensions incorporate axle compensation, in any properly sprung rail vehicle, axle compensation is not necessary or desirable. Axle compensation is undesirable in l0 any vehicle unless the road traveled over is quite irregularin other words, where one wheel is constantly caused to rise at least an inch or more above itscompanion wheel, which, of course, is

not the case on rails. l5l Axlecompensation decreases the stability of empty rail cars because it automatically produces e'ective spring centers equal to only one-half of the width of the track against instantaneous or sudden upward thrusts of a wheel. In other 20 words, if a wheel suddenly moves upward one inch, assuming no body movement occurs, only one-half inch of spring deflection results. Therefore the resistance to this wheel movement is only one-half inch of spring deflection at its given rate, and the energy stored to return said wheel is only that resulting from one-half inch of spring deflection.

Assuming the same spring rate per inch, as previously stated, with my present suspension,

3o when one wheel rises' one inch there is a greater spring deflection than the wheel rise-in the order of one and one-quarter inches. As previously stated, such greater spring deflection is deand as such spring deflections cannot be obtained ywith axle compensation, axle compensation is undesirable. Also, such greater spring deflection produces a greater resistance to the wheel and axle displacement.

With the arrangement of the lever arm 9|, lever arm pivot pin 9|, shackles |00 and axle pivot pin 1l as shown, it will be seen that the line of pressure derived from the axle and directed against-the lever arm pivot pin si is able to pass through the axis of rotation of the lever arm s0. In other words, the lever arm and its A shackles are capable-,of straightening out. This provides a non-bottoming suspension since as the lever arm and shackles approach this straightened out position, the resilient resistance imposed by the torsion rod approaches infinity. ,It will be also noted that all brake torque is resisted by the axle brackets, shackles, lever arms and their connecting pivots. Thus, by the wide spacing of the bearing heads 8l, Sla, and the bearings II for each pivot pin Il and the bearings 11 for each pivot pin 16. it will be seen that all brake torque is resisted directly by the linkage which'connects each end of each axle 6o with the car body and is not transmitted to the torsion rods III.

It is also to-be noted in the present invention that the means whereby resilience is effected does not involve any frictional resistance such as occurs in the case of a conventional leaf spring, and hence is free and non-energy absorbing in its action. Also, having no frictional resistance, except bearings. which more no particulars dirflcult lubrication problems, it does not vary because of change of frictionai resistance as in the case of the conventional leaf spring.

By the provision of independently rotatable wheels a large amount of wheel wear, such as causes the development ofsecondary flanges and 75. resulting to a great extent from wheel slippage sirable to produce the desired ride and stabilityv on curves and even straightaways, is avoided. When a pair of wheels is fast to a common axle wheel slippage is boundv to occur, of course, on curves. Wheel slippage also encourages wheel tramp or wheelhop, besides consuming additional power directly in proportion to the amount of slippage. shown are of a simple demountable type, veasy to change and economical to build.

With the wheel as shown, in the event of the failure of any of the roller bearings d, the normally inoperative bronze emergency bearing surfaces 51 and 58 will come into action and serve to prevent the possibility of a serious wreck.

As in the present invention all forces, both vertical and horizontal, are resiliently resisted by structure between the axles and the truck frame, the truck frame can be held in fixed relation to the car body except for swiveling movement about the axis of the king pin. This permits of the use of a center bearing 22 of exceptionally large diameter as well as of the use of side bearings arranged fore and aft of the center bearing as well as on opposite lateral sides thereof.

The linkage forming the subjecto the present invention is so designed that the torsion rods iid are not subjected to stresses approaching more than one-half their elastic limits and therefore there is little danger of these torsion rods breaking. It will be appreciated, however, that a torsion rod may be produced with a ilaw or other imperfection which will cause it to break in service. Particularly with the arrangement of the invention with the load of the body carried outside of the car wheels, it is desirable that when one torsion rod breaks, its' companion torend of the axle with the broken spring up oi the rail and thereby possibly cause der-ailment of the particular axle eected, which might possibly result in derailment of the entire car. This condition would be the same in conventional trucks with an enlarged center bearing or with a truck mounting not permitting truck frame vertical freedom in relation to the car body.

In Figs. 6-8 is shown an arrangement for. interconnecting the anchorages for the dead ends of the torsion rods at opposite ends of an axle so that if one of these torsion rods breaks the other torsion rod is instantly rendered inoperative. This makes possible and safe the use of a large center bearing with or without the side and end bearings and which in my suspension prevent vertical truck frame movements and frequencies .in relation to the car body.

Instead of the anchoring bosses in the form of the invention shown in Figs. l-5, the dead end H2 of each torsion rod is shown as anchored in lever arm |21. Each lever arm is suitably mounted on the longitudinal side beams of the truck immediately under an opening |28 provided in the side beam of the truck by means of a pair It will also be seen that the wheels Each of these leverarms |21 projects upwardly and is provided on its inner side with an inner socket and an outer socket |36, these sockets being of rounding form.

A pair of adjustable crossed compression bars or rods |31 are shown as interposed between the two arms |21 associated with each axle. These compression rods or bars are shown as comprising two sections |38 and |39 which are reversely threaded at their opposing ends, these threaded ends being connected by an adjusting sleeve |40 which is also oppositely threaded at its oppo-v site ends to t the threads of the sections |38 and |39. It' will be seen that by turning the adjusting sleeve the eective length of the compression rod or bar |31 can-be adjusted. Such adjustment can be maintained by lock nuts |4| provided at the opposite ends of the sleeve |40,

The opposite ends of the compression bars or rods |31 are rounded to iit the recesses |35 and |35 in the arms |21. One end of each compression bar fits in the lower socket |35 of one of the arms |21 and in the outer socket |36 oi the opposite arm |21. Similarly, the rounding ends of the companion compression bar or rod |31 are arranged in the other pair of inner and outer sockets of the two arms |21.

When the torsion rods H0 are stressed due to the loadl imposed on each torsion rod in the form of spring suspension shown in Figs. 1-5, the torsion rods are stressed in opposite directions.

That is, the dead end H2 0f the torSOn rod H0 'the ovalled bore |25 in-the hub |26 of a short of U-bolts I3@ which embrace grooved ends |3| of the hub |26 and hold the hub in contact with a bearing plate |32 with sufiicient looseness that the lever arm |21 is permitted to rotate when 75 arm |21 on theopposite side of the truck frame.

released.

shown at the left of Fig. 6 is urged to turn or twist in a clockwise direction and the corresponding arm |21 is also urged to rotate in this same direction or inwardly with respect to the truck frame; Whereas, the dead end of the torsion rod shown at the right of Fig. 6 is urged to turn or twist in a counter-clockwise direction and its corresponding arm |21 is thereby urged to rotate in this same direction or inwardly with reSPeCt to the truck frame. that the arms |21 are urged inwardlytoward each other.

In order to prevent movement of each torsion rod I l0 relative to the truck frame and to maintain the levers |21, under varying conditions of loading on each torsion rod HB, in the position of these arms shown in Fig. 6, the compression bars or rods |31 are crossed in such manner that one end of each compression bar engages with one of the arms |21 at a point where the effective lever arm length of the compression -bar is comparatively short at one end of the compression bar where the bar engages the inner recess |35, this short lever arm length being the perpendicular distance between the longitudinal axis of the compression bar and the axis of rotation of the corresponding arm |21. The opposite end of the same compression bar engages the outer recess |38 in the arm |21 on the opposite side of the truck frame so that the effective lever arm length of any force transmitted by the compression bar at this end is comparatively longer than the effective lever arm length at the opposite end of the compression bar.` This longer eiective lever arm length is determined by the per; pendicular distance between the longitudinal axis vof the compression rod, assuming that'the force is transmitted along the longitudinal axis of the compression rod, and the axis of' rotation of the corresponding arm |21. It will therefore be seen that while the compression rod trans-V mits the same force from one arm |21 to the It will therefore be seen the effective turning moment at the end oi.' the compression rod engaging the inner recess |55 in one arm |21 is smaller in magnitude than the effective turning moment at the opposite end of the compression rod which opposite end engages with the outer -recess |35 in the opposite arm |21. By crossing the compression rods |51 at the dead ends of the torsion rods in the above vmanner it is apparent that the arms |21 tend to maintain the same relative positions shown in Fig. 6.

In the event that one of the companion tor- 4sion rods ||0 shown in. Fig. 6 should break the above compression bar arrangement instantaneevent the forces being transmitted by the comv pression rods |31 from the torsion rod on the left side find no resistance and the right arm |21 is thrown outwardly or rotated in a clockwise direction away from the truck frame. At the same time the opposite arm |21 is not restrained from turning about its axis in the direction urged by the load imposed upon the left torsion rod and this direction, as previously pointed out.' is in a clockwise direction or inwardly with respect to the truck frame. This left arm is permitted to swing in this clockwise direction through the opening |25 in the corresponding longitudinal side beam 30 to an inoperative position. 4It will therefore be seen that with the above linkage arrangement when a torsion rod on one side oi' the car truck breaks the torsion rod on the opposite side of the truck is rendered instantaneously inoperative thereby to prevent any raising `oi the opposite wheel whichy might result in derailment of the passenger train.

In the spring suspension shown in Figs. 9 to 11, the axles are not connected to the passenger car body through a swivel truck but the axles are so connected to the passenger car body as to have the same tracking characteristics as if a swivel truck were employed.

-In the form oi the invention shown in Fiss. 9-11, the underframe |50 is shown asy comprising side sills of any suitable form connected by body bolsters |52.

The car wheels |55 are shown as being mounted forV independent rotation on the axles |55 which support the underframe. These wheels can therefore be constructed similarly to the wheels of the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1-5. y f p Each axle is shown as supportinga rigid bolster |51 of arching form which bolster extends transversely of the car 'body and has each of its ends formed to provide a socket |55 whichfits around the upper half of the axle |51 Just inside of the adjacent wheel |55. These' ends of each axle are irmly clamped in these sockets |55 by half round clamping blocks |55 which engage the underside of the axle and can be bolted or otherwise secured to the rigid bolster |51.

On its upper side each rigid bolster |51 is centrally formed to provide the lower halt of a center bearing |50, the bolster being formed to provide a king pin 5| which is threaded at its upper end and is surrounded by an annular recess |52 and an annular oil seal |53. The upper male part |55 which fits into the annular recess |52 is formed in the lower central part of a swing bolster |55 which extends transversely oi' thecar body over and well beyond the car wheels ,|55. This swing bolster |55 is rotatably secured to the rigid bolster |51 by nuts |51 applied to the king pin |5| and bearing against a thrust roller bearing |55 provided in the upper part oi' the swing bolster. Oil can befsupplied to the center bearing from an annular oil reservoir A|55 in the male part of the center bearing |55.

Each end of each swing bolster |55 is formed to provide a horizontal bore |10 which extends lengthwise of the car body and is provided at its ends with widely spaced bearings |1| which support the opposite ends of an axle pivot pin |15.

To connect each' end of each swing bolster |55 with the underi'rame |50 of the car body, a pair of body brackets |50 are secured to the undersides of the body holsters |52 adjacent each wheel |55, these brackets being spaced from each other a substantial distance lengthwise oi' the car body and supporting a horizontal body pin |5| which extends parallel with' the axle pivot pin |15. On this bodypin I 5| is journaled a lever 0r arm |52, this lever arm being of substantial length, lengthwise of the body, and being shown as having four spaced hub portions |55 arranged on opposite sides and immediately adjacent to the pair of body brackets |50 and each provided with a bushingl |54 having bearing engagement with the body pin |5|4 carried by th'ese body brackets. 'I'he lever arm |52 is formed at its center to provide a horizontal outward extension |55 which is also of substantial length, lengthwise oi' the body, andl is provided with a horizontal bore |55 in the opposite ends of which widely spaced bushings |51 are mounted, a lever arm pivot pin |55 being journaled in these bushings. This lever arm pivot pin extends parallel to the body pin |5| and the axle pivot pin |15.

, The opposite ends of the lever arm pivot pin |55 and the axle pivot pin |15 are connected by llexible shackles |50. These shackles can be ofd any suitable construction, such shackles being shown in greater detail in my copending application Serial No. 330,735, led April 20, 1940,-1'ory shackle for spring suspension. As here sh'own, each shackle comprises a plurality of laminated metal strips |5|, the opposite ends of which are arranged` between a pair of shackle heads |52. Each shackle is yprovided with through openings at its opposite ends which' ilt over the corresponding ends of the axle pivot pin |15 and the lever arm pivot pin |55. By the laminatedform o'i these exible shackles |90, the shackles yield to permit longitudinal movement of these pivot pins |15 and |55 with lreference to each other and these shackles are also capable of twisting to permit slight rotative movement of th'ese pins 15 and |55 in horizontal planes with reference to each other. The resilient connection between each end of each axle and the underframe is shown as comprising a torsion rod 200, the live end 20| oi' which is sh'own as Abeing deformed4 or upset. as with the torsion rods in the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1-5. To operatively connect the live endsI 20| of the torsion rods with the axles, the remotelyopposite ends of each pair oi lever arms |52 are each formed to provide an end socket extension 202 having an ovalled socketin which the ovalled live end 20| of a correspond'- ing torsion rod 200 is iltted, this ovalled socket and hence the corresponding torsion rod being. axially in line with the body pin |5| around which the lever arm |52 iulcrums. It will there- To hold each pair of axles |56 in parallel relation to each other at all times, and atV the same time to permit these axles to twist relative to each other about a central axis extending transversely of the axles, th'e axles are connected by a pair oi jointed yokes which are shown as constructed as follows:

One of these yokes 2I0 is shown as comprising a central enlarged portion 2| I which is formed to provide an enlarged bore 2|2 which extends lengthwise of the car body. In this bore 2|2 is secured,l in any suitable manner, an enlarged rod 2id, this enlarged vrod extending horizontally outward from th'e end of the enlarged portion 2| I. Around this projecting endof the enlarged rod 263, the enlarged portion 2| I of the yoke 2|0 is formed to provide a recessed thrust bearing face 2id. The yoke 2|0 is also formed to provide two side arms 2|5 which project outwardlyfrom the enlarged portion 2li in the opposite direction from the enlarged rod 2|3 andv each of which arms is formed at its end to providel a socket -to clamp against the side of the corresponding axle |58. These arms 2|5 engage the axle just inside of the ends of the rigid bolster |51 and the ends of the axle are securely clamped in these sockets iby half round clamping heads 2|6 which can be bolted to the ends of the arms 2I5 to clamp the axle therebetween. I 4

The yoke 220 for the companion axle |56 is also shown as having a central enlarged portion 22| which is .formed to provide an enlarged bore 222 which receives the projecting end of the enlarged rod 2| 3. The end 223 of the enlarged portion 22| is also formed to provide a, thrust bearing extension' which ts into 'and bears against the recessed thrust bearing face 2I4 of the yoke 2| 0. Preferably .an annular oil seal 224 is also provided for the Ithrust bearing so provided. The opposite end of the enlarged portion 22| of the yoke 220 is also recessed, as indicated at 225, to receive a thrust head 226, this thrust head being screwed over'the reduced threaded end 221 of the ento clamp against the' axle |56 which is a companion 'to the axle engaged by the yoke 2|0. These arms 235 engage the companion axle just inside of the rigid bolster |51 and the ends of the axle are securely clampedyinthese sockets by half round clamping heads in the same manner as with 'the arms of the yoke 2|0.

Cil

' joint indicated generally at 24|.

rod 239 is interposed between one axle |56 and the underframe |50. For this purpose, this axle is provided with a central spherical head or ring 240 whichl forms the male part of a universal Thisspherical head fits into a spherical recess 242 provided in the end of a large cylindrical thrust rod 243 and also in a similarspherical recess in a cap 244 which 'is secured by bolts 245 or in any, other suitable manner tothe end of the large cylindrical thrust rod 243.

' The opposite end of th'e large cylindrical thrust red y:as is provided with en exieI threaded bore 250 which receives one end- 25| of an adjusting screw 252, this adjusting screw being formed to provide a central squared portion 258 by means of which the adjusting screw can be turned. The other end 254 of this adjusting screw 252 is screwed into a bore 255 in a largecylindrial thrust rod 256, the opposite end of which' is formed to provide a spherical recess 251 which ts against one side ,of a central ball 258 provid- .ed on a, cross rod 259. This 'recess is held in engagement with this ball'by a cap 260 having a spherical recess which fits the oth'er side of the ball 258 and held in place by bolts 26| or in any other suitable manner. 'Ihe ends of the cross 'rod 259 can be secured to the underirame |50 in any suitable manner as by being welded to brackets 262 which form a part of the underfl'me. 4 i

The opposite ends of the adjusting screw 252 are, of course. oppositely threaded so that upon turning this adjusting screw the effective length of the radius rod 230 can be adjusted.A

In the operation of the form of the Ainvention shown in Figs. 9-11, upward movement of the end of any axle eiects an upward movement of the corresponding sides of the rigid bolster |51 and ther swing bolster |66. In this movement, the movement Aof any one axle is independent of the movement of its companion axle inasmuch as the axles are free to turn relative to each other about the axis of the enlarged rod 2|3, the thrust bearing surfaces 2I4 and 225 permitting such relative movement of the axles. The upward movement of one end of the swing bolster |66 eiects,

through the corresponding axle pivot pin |15, shackles |90 and lever arm pivot pin |88, an upward movement of the corresponding lever arm |82, thislever swinging about the axis of the With the companion -pair of axles |56 connected by the yokes inthel manner described, it will be seen that the two axles are held yin fixed relation to each other except that the axles are free to rotate relative to each other about the axis of the enlarged rod 2|3-which also intersects th'e axes of the axles.

e In-ordertotransmit impactsv longitudinally of the car body from the underframe |50 to the connected pairs of axles and vice versa, a radius the torsion rod 200 thereby yieldingly resists upward movement of the end of Vthe axle 'and re- .stores the axle to its normal position.

It will further be seen that since the V.underframe |50 is connected to the' ends of the swing bolsters |66 by the shackles |90 .which arexpiv otally mounted on the pin |15 and |88 which extendlong'itudinally of the car` body, the car body can move laterally of the axles when sub- .jected to'lateral impacts, as whentr'aversing a curve of the track. Further, itwiil be noted, as with the form of the invention shown in Figs.

,1-5, 'that these shackles extend upwardly and inwardly from the lever arm pins |88 to theA axle pins |15 and that therefore the body is selfcenterlng through theA resilient force of gravity acting upon the car body. It will therefore be Iseen that in the general arrangementof the parts ible shackles itl which permit theseswing the operation ci and the advantages attained by assente the spring suspension shown in Figs. 9-11 is the same as with the i'crm of the invention shown in liigs. l-5 and the detailed discussion of these operatingeliects is therefore not repeated.-

The construction shown in Figs. 9-11, however. is such that although the axles are not connected to the passenger car b'ody through a swiveltruck. the connection is such that the axles have the same tracking characteristics as it the swivel truck, as shown ln Figs. 1-5, were employed. Theprovision of such car truck characteristics in the form of the invention shown in Figs. 9-11 is dependent upon the provision oian individual center bearing for each axle and the provision of the ilexible shackles lll which permit a limited independent movement of each end oieachaxleswingbolsterlengthwise ofthecar body. s

'On entering a. curve it is necessary` that'the lotiate the curve. Since the axles' are held in ilxed parallel relation to cach other by the yckes llt. 22| (except for their movement in vertical planes about the longitudinal axis ot these yokes. which movement does not enter into the problem under consideration), the movement ot the parallel pair of axles to an angular Dolition with reference to the car bodyl to negotiate the curve is permitted by the center bearing I between each axle and the'correspending swing bolster ill and by the tl gx. bol. sters to move toward and from each other the slight requisite amount to permit the connectged axles to assume an angular positionwith reference to the swing holsters. Thus, the swing bolsters are free to move transversely ofthe car body independently or each other but are held in substantially fixed lparallel relation bythe car body. means for anchoring one endo! each of said torsion rods to said swivel truck, means for rotatably supporting the opposite end ot each. otsaidtorsionrodsonsaidtrucnandmeansior operatively connecting said opvolite end oi each l of said torsion rods with, th'e end of one of said axles to resillently restrain vertical movement oi said axles relative to said truck v axles move with reference to the car body to neshackles. The axles are also heldin parallel relation to each other by their connecting yokes. When a curve is encountered, the axles move to an angular position relative to the car body, each tum Slightly'relativeto its "mi bolster Ml' and moving its swing bolster laterally in a corresponding direction. The swing holsters are necsarily drawn together a slight distance during this movement, this being permitted by the iiexible shackles which connect thawing bolsters with the car body.

.By the vertical plane'ot the annular line of contactof thecarwheelwith thetrackfasuaed pension which is light inv weight and will func: tion to provide improved ride characteristics with little attention or danger oi breakdown.

I claim as my invention:

1. A spring' suspension for a railroad car body.

comprising a swivel truck supporting each end of 79 said body. a pair 0! axles at Oppite ends Ofsaid swivel truck. a car wheel supporting each end of' each of said axles, a pair of torsion rods arranged one above the other in a vertical plane at each side o! said truck and extending lengthwise oi the 75 a. A spring suspension lor supporting each trame, comprising a lever arm operatively con-` nectedtosaidcpposite end ofeachcfsaidtorsion rodstorctateaboutanaxiscoaxialtherewithand projecting outwardly from said swivel truck, a shackle pivotally secured to each oi' said lever arms and extending upwardly and inwardly therefrom, and means for pivotally securing the upper end ofeach otsaidshackleswithsaid correspond-- ingendofoneoisaidaxles.'

2. A spring suspension for carrying the body supporting frame oi a railroad car, comprising an axle. a car wheel supporting each end of said axle, a pair of torsion rods mounted on said frame in parallel relation to each other and having their deadendsarrangedina common plane extending transversely of said torsion rods. means operatively 'connecting the live end of each of said tor- 'sion' rods with the corresponding end ot said axle to resiliently resistvertical movement of said axle relative to said frame. said means being arranged to twist said torsion rods in opposite directions, and means providing the sole anchorage for the dead end of each torsion rodto prevent rotation thereof relative to said trame. comprising an arm fast to the dead end oi each ol'sald torsion rods. and extending in a generally vertical directionv therefrom, and a pair oi cross members connectingtheendsoisaid armsandeachconnectingthe outer extremity o! one arm with the inner extremity oi. the other arm whereby in the event ot one otsaidtorsionrodsbreakingthearmoftheother otsaid tcrsionrodsisreleasedtherebyto render both torsion rods completely breaks inoperative ii one 3. A'spring suspension -tor the supportingirarneofarailroadcar.comprisinganl "lyconnectingthelive endoteachoisaidtorsion -rodswiththe ebrrespondingendofsaidaxleto.

resilientlyresist vertical movement of said a'xle relative tosaidirame, saidmeansbeing arranged to twist said torsion rods in opposite directions,

and means providing the sole anchorage for the dead endet each torsionrod to prevent rotation thereof relative tosaid trainel comprising an arm tastto thedeadendoteachof said torsion rods and extending in a generally vertical direction therefrom to be urged toward the other torsion .rodbytheload imposeduponitstcrsionrod,each, o! said arms being providedwith inner and outer bearing. surfaces arranged at different distances from the axis'oi the corresponding torsion rod.

.a compression member connecting the outer bear- `inirsurfaceoione oisaidarmswiththeinner bearingsurtaceottheother'ofsaidarmsanda second compression member connecting the other pair'ot said bearing surfaces. said compression membersnormallysubstantially preventing the. transmissionotloadiromonetorsionrodtothe' othertorsionrodandoperatingtorendereither of said'torsion rods completely inoperative in the event of the other torsion rod breaking.

of said axles and the corresponding swing bol-v of a railroad car body, comprising a pair of companion axles, a, car wheel'supporting each end of each of said axles, means connecting said axles to hold them in xed relation to each other except for rotation relative to each other about a common transverse axis, a swing bolster arranged above each of said axles and arranged parallel thereto,l a center bearing between each of said axles and the corresponding swing bolster, and

resilient means connecting each of said swing bolsters to said car body.

5. A spring suspension for supporting each end of a railroad car body, comprising a pair of companion axles, a car wheel supporting each end of each of said axles, means connecting said axles to hold them in fixed relation to eachother except for rotation relative to each other about a com-v mon transverse axis,a swing bolster arranged above each of said axles and arranged parallel thereto, a center bearing between each of said axles and the corresponding swing bolster, resilient means connecting each of said swing bolsters to said car body, and a `radius rod extending lengthwise of said car body and'connecting said connected pair of axles with said car body.

6. A spring suspension for supporting each end. of a railroad car body, comprising a pair of companion axles, a car wheel supporting each end of each of said axles, means connecting said axles -to hold them in fixed relation to each other except foirotation relative lto each other about a common transverse axis, a swing bolster arranged above each of said axles and arranged parallel thereto, a center bearing between each of said axles and the corresponding swing bolster, resilient means connecting each of said swing bolsters to said car body, a radius rod extending lengthwise of said car body, a universal joint connecting one end of said radius rod with said car body, and a second universal joint connecting the other end of said radius rod with one of said axles.

7. A spring suspension for supporting each end ster, a pair of lever arms fulcrumed on each side of said car body to swing about an axis extending lengthwise of said car body, each of said lever arms being arranged outside of the annular line of contact of the adjacent car wheel with its rail, a ilexible shackle connecting the free end of each of said lever arms with the corresponding end of each swing bolster, each of said shackles resiliently permitting movement of the corresponding end of said swing bolster -lengthwise of said car body, and means connecting each of said lever arms with said car body and resiliently resisting movement of each of said lever arms. 9. A spring suspension for carrying the body supporting frame of a railroad car, comprising an axle, a car Wheel supporting said axle, a lever arm fulcrumed on said frame and having its free' end arranged outside of the vertical plane of the annular line of contact of said car wheel with the railroad track, a pin mounted in the outer end of said lever arm, means for connecting' said lever arm pin with said axle so that the line of pressure derived from said axle and directed against said pin is able to pass through the axis of said lever arm fulcrum, and means for resiliently restraining rotation of said lever arm.

10. A laterally cushioned axle mounting between` the wheeled axles and frame of a railroad car, comprising an axle bracket mounted on each end of each of said axles to project upwardly therefrom and arranged outside of the of a railroad car body, comprising a pair of companion axles, a car wheel supporting each end oi each of said axles, means connecting said axles to hold them in fixed relation to each other except for rotation relative to each other about a common transverse axis, a swing bolster ar-f ranged above each of said axles and arranged parallel thereto, a center bearing between each of said axles andthe .corresponding'swing bolster, a pair of lever arms fulcrumed on each side of said car body to swing about an axis extending lengthwise of said car body, a flexible shackle connecting the free end of each of said lever arms with the corresponding end of each swing bolster, each of said shackles resiliently permitvertical plane of the annular line of contact of the adjacent car wheel with its rail, a normally generally horizontal crank arm pivotally mounted on saidframe adjacent each end oi each axle to swing about a horizontal axis extending transversely of said axle, said crank arm being interposed between the corresponding car wheel and cushioned movement of. said axles laterally of' the car body.

11. A laterally cushioned axle mounting between the wheeled axles and frame of a railroad car, comprising an axle bracket mounted on each end of each of said axles to project upwardly. therefrom and arranged outside of the vertical plane of the annular. line of contact. of the adjacent car ,wheel with its rail, a normally generally horizontal crank arm pivotally mounted on said frame adjacent each end of each axle to swing about a horizontal axis extending transversely of ting movement ofthe corresponding end of said swing bolster lengthwise of said car body, and means for resiliently resisting movement of each of said swing holsters relative to said car body.

8. A spring suspension for supporting each end of a railroad car body, comprising a pair of companion axles,- a. car wheel supporting 4each end of each of said axles, means connecting said axles to hold them in xed relation to each other except forrotation relative to each other about a common transverse axis, a swing bolster arranged above each of said axles and arranged parallel thereto, a center bearing between each said axle, said 'lever arm being interposed between' the corresponding car wheel -andfaxle bracket and projecting horizontally outward from its-pivotal mounting on -said frame. a tension shackle pivoted 'at its lower end tovs'aid crank armand at its upper end to the upper end of said axle bracket, and spring means connected to Said frame and tending to urge said crank arm and its shackle downwardly, said crank arms and shackles permitting cushioned movement of said axles laterally oi the car body.

- ALBERT F. HICKMAN. 

